THE ULTIMATE BEEFED-UP GUIDE TO NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAY

Ok, you know that I LOVE myself a good, juicy, well-executed burger! To BEEF up the ‘foodie’ holiday with National Cheeseburger Day today, I wanted to share some go-to-burgers to help kick-off the celebrations. With many ways to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day, I had to narrow down to just a few… or not, this list just keeps expanding.

Not to be cheesy, but we area talking about CHEESEburgers and what better way to have some fun with the celebrations than with a cheeseburger prop by BigMouth Inc., which offers some amazing products! From a cheeseburger beach ball ($29.99), to cheeseburger stool ($99.99), to cheeseburger mask ($39.99) and even a cheeseburger cookie jar ($24.99), you can show your love for these great big burgers all year round! BigMouth Inc.’s products are available in retailers nationwide including Target, Urban Outfitters, Walmart, Spencer’s and online at Amazon.com.

NEW YORK CITY

Pizza Burger and All American Burger at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer

(www.blacktapnuuc.com)

The Black Tap Pizza Burger, this delectable sandwich is the perfect fusion between a burger and pizza. Just added to the Black Tap menu last month, the burger consists of high quality Pat LaFrieda beef, a thick slice of fresh mozzarella, shaved parmesan and tomato sauce. Black Tap is redefining the definition of pizza and satisfying diners cravings for multiple comfort foods at once. The All American Burger at Black Tap is the ultimate cheese burger and is the epitome of Black Tap’s core mission: to serve up both traditional and innovation All American Burger. Nothing says cheeseburger like one with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, American cheese & a special sauce. TAP Twice if you want to eat this..

The Burger Bash at Burger & Barrel

(www.burgerandbarrel.com)

Restaurateur John McDonald and Chef Josh Capon have established B&B as a Soho destination for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Our menus are market driven and feature daily specials, and home of the award-winning burger (5x Burger Bash at NYWFF). The namesake burger The Bash Burger, topped with caramelized onions, bacon jam, pickles, American cheese to keep items simple yet amped up!Photograph by fan Nick Solares

Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with the patty that started it all and one of the most iconic burgers to date with ‘21’ Club’s namesake burger ‘21’ Burger ($36). Kicking off it’s almost 75 years in existence and the first ‘haute’ gourmet burger to be added to a menu in 1940 and was sold for a whopping $2.75. Today, the burger prepared by executive chef Sylvain Delpique can be enjoyed with a custom ‘21’ prime aged blend from Master Purveyors (seasoned with salt and pepper only), a custom made Artisanal Challah Roll from Amy’s Bread, sautéed onions, sliced tomato, lettuce, cheddar cheese and housemade pickles; accompanied by French fries and ’21′ Sauce. Featured in Time Magazine as one of the most influential burgers of all time, the burger was listed as #4 out of #17 proving it to be the best way to kickoff the ‘food’ holiday.

Delmonico’s is credited with serving America’s first ‘Hamburger Steak’ back in 1834 and was original prepared as a bun-less finely chopped steak. Known for preparing un-heard of luxury cuisine and pioneering many original dishes, including the burger, the restaurant today serves the signature Delmonico’s Double Cheeseburger to give the beef a flavorful patty. Chef Billy Olivia also opts for a brioche bun and tops off the burger and bun with crisp romaine heart lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bacon, and Delmonico’s original ‘animal-style’ sauce created by Delmonico’s first celebrity chef Charles Ranhofer back in the 1800s.

At The Gander, acclaimed chef Jesse Schenker showcases his innovative and imaginative approach to new-American cuisine (www.thegandernyc.com). Hailed as one of the “Essential Dry Aged Burgers of NYC” by Eater and by Grub Street New York as one of the “13 New Burgers That Grab Your Attention,” Schenker whips up an upgraded play on a classic American burger with his lunch-only Dry Aged Cheeseburger with sharp cheddar and bread and butter pickles on a potato roll with crispy French fries.

King Bee offers a mash up of Canadian fare and Louisiana country cooking from their cozy, east village eatery. Their KB Burger, part of their recently launched bar menu and brunch menu, features Pat LaFrieda meat with Raclette, Tomato Confit, and Pickles on a Potato Roll with Fries.Their convivial “Hour of Good Cheer” happy hour offers a Burger and Bubbly Rosé for $20.

Slider expert and winner of the 2011 Burger Bash at Food Network’s NYC Wine & Food Festival, Chris Santos (owner and executive chef) of the Stanton Social and Beauty & Essex, has collaborated with his sous chef of The Stanton Social, Jonathan to serve their first ever entrée sized burger. The Big Sexy ($18)is a mix of Short Rib, Chuck, Prime Age Ribeye, Ribeye Fat and Smoked Bacon ground in-house and cooked in a cast iron pan and served with fancy sauce (their version of Thousand Island dressing with a special mix of mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickles, shallots and spices), onions caramelized in Coco-Cola and a thick slice of American cheese all between a Martin’s Potato Bun. To go along with the perfect burger, they serve them with a decadent side of Bacon and Blue Cheese Fries.

Bar Room Burger at The Bar Room

(www.thebarroomnyc.com)

The Bar Room takes pride in their Bar Room Burger ($19) not only on Nat’l Cheeseburger Day, but every day! The short rib, brisket & chuck blend makes for a flavorful patty, topped with white cheddar, truffle aioli, lettuce, tomato, pickles and crispy onions with the choice to add a thick slab bacon ($4) to finish this royal burger off. Consulting Chef Aaron Phillips went through countless blends and recipes until the burger was perfectly juicy and topped just right. An order of deliciously salted fries (made with Kennebec potatoes) accompanies each burger for the perfect combo. Enjoy this delicious treat during lunch or dinner daily at a table in the back Skylight Room adorned with a beautiful floral mural above and of course a skylight, or at the 126 year old, 32-foot mahogany bar that welcomes you upon entering.

Bringing East Hamptons vibes to the Upper East Side, BKB is known for preparing some of the freshest seafood around. With executive chef and co-owner Eric Miller preparing his popular cuisine from seasonal restaurant Bay Kitchen Bar to New Yorkers year-round, diners are never short of fresh, high-end seafood. Adding a Manhattan edge to the heartier NYC menu, guests can order the restaurants signature BKB Burger ($22) prepared with Angus Sirloin with caramelize onions, melted aged cheddar, drizzled with special sauce and served with crisp lemon potatoes making each bite juicer than the next. Offering the summertime feel in the Upper East Side and an outstanding destination burger, the patty is an absolute MUST TRY and one of the best under-the-radar burgers in the city.

POLO BAR, POLO BAR, POLO BAR! I loveeee their cheeseburger SO very much. Just look at it sitting there all pretty.

Other obvious choices, includes Minetta Tavern’s Black Label Burger, GENUINE Superette, Duper stack burger which is a double stack burger with American cheese, sweet pickles and their house sauce by Michelin Starred Chef Brad Farmerie and The Happiest Hour, a massive double stacked burger as well! YUM! Oh, and the Humm Burger from Daniel Humm’s delicious upscale bar NoMad Bar.

DESTINATION BURGERS AROUND NYC

Breakout Clinton Hill pizzeria Emily run by Brooklyn-raised Matthew Hyland and his wife (the restaurant’s namesake), takes inspiration from Naples for pizza pies, but serves an OUTSTANDING burger with a huge following with their Emmy Burger. Prepared with a dry-aged patty, melted Grafton cheddar cheese, sautéed onions, and “EMMY” sauce, which is a garlic-butter-laced Korean gochujang mayonnaise with a tang, all atop a Tom Cat bakery pretzel bun.Photo by First We Feast

Brooklyn Heights neighborhood gem Colonie, known for its seasonal Contemporary American menu, does the classic burger & ketchup combo a bit differently. Chef Andrew Whitcomb tops the grass-fed & house-butchered beef with cloth-bound cheddar, house bacon, a fried duck egg, and tops it with a house-made beet ketchup , all topped on potato buns made in-house

Chef Shaun VanAlphen’s passion for fresh ingredients that are prepared in the most flavorful ways began when he was a kid. Having grown up in Great Barrington Massachusettes, VanAlphen grew up hunting, fishing, and foraging. Since his youthful days in the backwoods, VanAlphen has shaped his culinary chops working at some of the industry’s finest dining destinations, including Blue Hill, Jean Georges, and Momofuku Ko. Now, VanAlphen heads the kitchen of all six of The Bua Group’s New York restaurants: Bua, Penrose, Sweet Afton, The Bonnie, Wilfie and Nell, and the Wren. To elevate the traditional burger, Chef Shaun VanAlphen creates a tender, succulent patty by combining three distinct cuts of Black Angus beef: flat iron, brisket, and short rib. Grilled to perfection, the burger is served on a fluffy butter-toasted brioche bun, before being stacked with classic burger accouterments, including melted Swiss cheese, sliced red-onion and tomato, red oak lettuce and spicy McClures pickles.

Reminding us that summer can be a state of mind.. (in the form of a large bite of a juicy cheeseburger), LT Burger located in Sag Harbor is open year-round and able to appease your summertime nostalgia fix with a vast selection of sumptuous burgers. With a menu focused on our favorite topic on this day, renowned chef and burger KING Laurent Tourondel serves up his signature LT Backyard ($14) burger prepared with grilled hickory smoked bacon, and ooey gooey NY state cheddar making our mouths water for a sip of his signature milkshakes to add the perfect finish. A great destination spot for those looking to enjoy a classic burger joint or a great stopover for locals alike.Photo by LT Burger

Julian Medina Burger at Tacuba Mexican Cantina in Queens

(www.tacubanyc.com)

Renowned chef and restaurateur Julian Medina slabs some South of the Border spice onto an American classic with his Julian Medina Burger ($14), which is quintessential Mexican cheeseburger with spicy poblano queso fundido. Those looking for a more out-of-the-box burger cheeseburger can head to Tacuba to enjoy his ground sirloin, tomato cheeseburger with chipotle-cabbage slaw and shoestring fries. This savory sandwich can be found on weekdays on Tacuba’s lunch menu or as a mid-morning treat on their weekend brunch menu.

Mark your calendars, popular farm-to-table concept Black Tree in the Lower East Side is taking their adventurous and locally- sourced dishes to Brooklyn with an expansion this September 30th! Receiving a ton of buzz for sourcing all ingredients from local farms or purveyors within 300 miles, and preparing a weekly menu based on produce and animal availability, the new Black Tree Brooklyn (261 Metropolitan Avenue) will maintain the same sustainable philosophy, as well as take the concept to the next level with the launch of a chef’s table. Refining their concept with the new offshoot, co-owner and executive chef Sandy Dee Hall, who with partner Macnair Sillick, will open in a with a double-animal themed menu, including beef and goat. To give diners a sneak peek of the new opening menu, one of the must-try items will includes a Beef Burger,prepared with 8 oz. Ground Beef, Cheddar cheese, Pickles, Beetchup, Onion Top Aioli and Chips $15.

At Manhattan’s lively neighborhood brasserie The Smith, the classic Burger Deluxe ($17) is a no-nonsense cult-favorite– the restaurant sells over 1,5000 of them each week. The burger is made of angus ground chuck from Pat LaFrieda, special sauce, pickled green tomatoes, beef steak tomatoes, red onion, romaine, sharp white cheddar and apple-smoked bacon on a fresh potato bun, and is also offered on Sunday nights at the restaurant’s East Village location as part of its special Burger & A Beer night, where $19 gets you a pint of Smith Ale, the special brew made exclusively for the restaurant by Six Point in Brooklyn.

VIRGINIA

José Andrés, the award-winning chef who introduced America to traditional Spanish tapas and championed the path of avant-garde cuisine in the U.S., offers his take on American classics at America Eats Tavern. Located at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner just outside Washington DC in McLean, VA, the restaurant celebrates local and regional flavors inspired by some of the country’s most historic dishes. José’s Foie Gras Burger features Angus beef topped with Hudson Valley foie gras, caramelized onions, huckleberries and grain mustard for $25.

At iconic Chelsea neighborhood restaurant The Red Cat, chef/owner Jimmy Bradley and executive chef Mike Cooperman offer the Tasty Burger, a lunchtime favorite with gruyere, bacon and pickled onions on an English muffin. As a more hangover-friendly option, the Dirty Burger adds a fried egg and swaps gruyere for aged VT cheddar for brunch on the weekends. High res photo of the Dirty Burger:

SAN FRANCISCO

At Cafe du Nord in San Francisco’s historic Swedish American Hall, award-winning partners The Bon Vivants and Ne Timeas Restaurant Group have revived and re-opened an iconic property with a lengthy history as a San Francisco bar, restaurant and live music venue. The Bon Vivants put their cocktail expertise to work in a menu of classic drinks with innovative ingredients, and Executive Chef Thomas McNaughton presents a menu inspired by classic dishes found throughout America in the 20th century and influenced by local ingredients. The wildly popular, expertly executed Burger du Nord comes with sharp cheddar, lettuce, pickles, and secret sauce for $16.50.

Trick Dog, the James Beard Foundation Award-nominated bar from The Bon Vivants, hospitality consulting team founded by close friends Josh Harris and Scott Baird, opened in January of 2013 in San Francisco’s Mission District. Trick Dog has since has since earned accolades including a nomination for the 2015 James Beard Foundation’s Best Bar Program, Best Bar Team at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards and #33 on the list of World’s 50 Best Bars. Trick Dog successfully shifted the cocktail from center stage, making room for artfully crafted drinks to become part of a fully integrated and thoughtfully executed bar experience. Trick Dog is known for its creative and playful menus and the Trick Dog burger ($10) is no exception. To make this tasty burger in the shape of a hot dog, they use house-ground blend of chuck & brisket, lettuce, onions, pickles, cheddar cheese, and house sauce.

This party destination on the beach serves an upscale patty equipped with Toasted brioche bun, Ham, One egg sunny side up, Cheddar, Roasted corn, and Grilled jalapeño mayo to add a little Miami salsa/kick.

This chic spot that overlooks the water with an outdoor patio offers globally-influenced seafood an adjacent hot-stone & crudo lounge and a DELICIOUS Wagyu burger with a Brioche bun, topped with burrata, Heirloom tomato, and Truffle vinaigrette.

Dirty Burger at Soho Beach House on South Beach

(www.sohobeachhouse.com)

The members-only beachclub offers access to their restaurant Cecconi’s and serves a lux cheeseburger to patch their clientele with their Dirty Burger served as a cheeseburger with dirty bacon to add an extra layer of juicy, fatty, goodness.